Fulton County Arts & Culture is launching an open call for the 2026 Public Art Futures Lab Artists-In-Residence Program. Marking its fifth year, the program supports artists creating innovative work at the intersection of art, technology, and public space. Applications are open through February 10, 2026, with selected artists announced in late March 2026.

Hosted at the Public Art Futures Lab in Downtown Atlanta, the 18-week residency invites artists from the Atlanta metropolitan area to develop forward-looking, community-engaged projects that reimagine public art in today’s digital age. In partnership with Atlanta Downtown (ATL DTN) and MARTA Artbound, the program provides access to cutting-edge tools, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship from leaders in art, design, and technology.

Designed as a largely self-directed experience, the residency allows artists to shape projects aligned with their individual artistic practice while responding to community-focused residency briefs developed in collaboration with program partners.

“The visibility and public presentation of the residency, from open studios to outdoor projections and being showcased downtown, legitimized my vision in a way I could not have created on my own,” said Samantha Richardson, 2025 ATL DTN Artist-In-Residence. “The support and platform affirmed that my work belongs in public and artistic spaces.”

Throughout the residency, artists will have access to a fully equipped studio space, including computers for 3D graphics, programming, and multimedia production, as well as VR headsets, projectors, and other technology. Participants will also benefit from partnerships with academic institutions, arts organizations, and nonprofit partners, creating a strong ecosystem of support.

Residency Highlights:

• Funding: Residents will receive a financial stipend ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 provided by residency sponsors Atlanta Downtown (ATL DTN) and MARTA Artbound.
• Connection: Artists will engage with public and private partners aligned with their work, fostering long-term relationships and collaborative opportunities.
• Presentation Opportunities: At the residency’s conclusion, participants will share their work with the public through exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, or other formats.
• Access for All Disciplines: Open to artists from all disciplines, the program emphasizes innovation and encourages applicants to expand traditional art practices through technology.

Key Dates:

• Open Call Launch: January 6, 2026
• Virtual Information Session: January 13, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1p.m.\
• (Meeting link available online)
• Application Deadline: February 10, 2026, at midnight (EST)
• Juried Evaluations: February – March 2026
• Residency Announcements: Week of March 23, 2026

The 2026 Public Art Futures Lab residency cohort will include three distinct opportunities exploring how art and technology activate public space. Two residencies, developed in partnership with ATL DTN, will support artists working with projection mapping and augmented reality, inviting proposals that transform the Downtown Atlanta built environment through large-scale, site-responsive digital interventions. A third residency, developed with MARTA Artbound, will take place within active transit environments and encourage artists to explore how art and technology shape everyday experiences of movement, waiting, and shared civic space, while culminating in a public-facing activation appropriate for transit settings.

Artists interested in applying can visit https://publicartfutureslab.com for eligibility requirements, FAQs, and application details. Applications must be submitted through Submittable by February 10, 2026, at midnight EST.

Since its inception, the Public Art Futures Lab has become a first-of-its-kind, government-supported initiative blending art and technology. Past residents have developed projects that activate public space, engage diverse audiences, and position Atlanta as a leader in arts innovation.

For more information about ongoing programs and services, please visit: www.fultonarts.org or contact the Department of Arts & Culture at 404-612-4000.